David L. Arnett

David Lee Arnett, 64, passed away unexpectedly on June 30, 2021 at Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis. While his loss was sudden, he was surrounded by those closest to him. 

Dave was born on July 27, 1956 in Indianapolis, IN, the only son of Leon and Lenora (Wren) Arnett. David married the love of his life, Teresa Skinner, on June 4, 1976; they shared 45 years together.

Dave’s time on this Earth was not long enough, but in his time, he made an impact on everyone he met. To know Dave was to know a hardworking, dedicated, and caring man who loved to laugh and loved a good story. 

Family was the most important thing in Dave’s life, and he was happiest when he got to share a moment or meal with them. He especially loved family vacations to Madeira Beach, boating on Salamonie Reservoir, and canoeing on the White River most of all. But really, it didn’t matter the reason or occasion. If Dave had his family around, he was happy.

They don’t hand out a lifetime achievement award for “Most Youth Sports Games Attended,” but if they did, Dave would have been a serious contender. If his grandkids were playing, Papa was in the stands, and he was the loudest one there.

If Dave loved his wife and family first, he loved knowing he put in a day’s work second. He held many jobs over the years, but he was most proud of his time as a member of the Iron Workers Local Union No. 22 for 25 years and the years he spent out in his garage woodworking, building projects for friends and family. If it could be made of wood, Dave could build it. 

It didn’t matter if you knew him as Dave, Dad, Papa, or Old Man -- he was always the same person. He was a giant of a man, the rock of his family. He set the tone and led by example. He loved life, and specifically, he loved his life, and if you spent much time around Dave, he’d tell you how much he did too. 

Dave sometimes jokingly referred to himself as “Papa, the man, the myth, the legend.” While we hate the circumstances, his jokes now have a degree of truth to them. To hear his friends and family talk about the man he was, the life he lived, and the love he put out into the world could make him seem like a myth. 

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Lenora Arnett.

Dave is survived by his wife of 45 years, Teresa (Skinner) Arnett and by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Jama Fernung and Carrie Arnett-Hammond, and Brent Fernung and Erik Hammond. Dave is also survived by his sister, Wanda Dane and his four grandchildren, Brock and Macy Hammond, Madison Hammond, and Hunter Fernung. 

A funeral service celebrating David’s life will be held on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 1:00pm at Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home, located at 314 N. Main St. in Tipton, with Pastor Randy Carlisle officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dave's honor can be made to Janus Developmental Services in care of Austin.

Taylor & Cowan Funeral Home is honored to care for the Arnett family in their time of need. Please feel free to leave online condolence or share a special memory of David with his family on his tribute wall.

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